Murray advances to Brisbane semis

Brisbane, Australia (Sports Network) - Andy Murray kept his hopes of back-to-
back titles at the season-opening Brisbane International tennis event alive
Friday with a hard-fought victory at this Australian Open tune-up.

The top-seeded U.S. Open and Olympic titlist outlasted Russia's Denis Istomin
6-4, 7-6 (7-3) on the hardcourts at Queensland Tennis Centre.

Istomin smacked seven aces in the match compared to four by Murray, but he
could not convert on his two break chances.